Thursday, May 24, 2018

24 May 2018 - perseverance preservatives



Jesus tells us to avoid sin. He tells us to avoid being examples that lead others into sin. Yet, before this he reminds us that we are good and that he wants us to be loved.

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

He says that other people should help us because of who we are in him. We should be willing to accept that help so that those that help can reap their heavenly reward. Only after this does he start warning us. It becomes all the more significant now because we are in Christ. We represent God. Our behavior can lead others into Gehenna in addition to ourselves. We are supposed to represent Christ!

Just as it is our dignity in Christ that makes sin even more grave for us than for others...

What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (see Second Corinthians 6:16).

...so to our strength to live that dignity is a gift he gives us.

"Everyone will be salted with fire.
Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,
with what will you restore its flavor?
Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another."

He gives us the salt that preserves our flavor. All we have to do is to receive and keep it. There are temptations to find other food or to change the flavor of the food we have. But this salt is an essential element. It isn't long without it before the whole dish is spoiled.

We don't need to fatten our hearts for the day of slaughter. We have enough. Greed is an attitude that doesn't trust in God's power to uphold us. The greedy seek to establish their own security apart from God. This is not a behavior disciples of Jesus can indulge. But in others, it is not a behavior that can harm us. Our salt is not something the world can take from us. In Jesus we always have enough for every good work (see Second Timothy 3:17).

But God will redeem me
from the power of the nether world by receiving me.


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